This is the story of how two totally different dogs changed how a woman saw the world.
Maddie has always been around dogs. Even as a young girl she was surrounded by dogs her parents, Frank and Dee, had gotten before she was born. As a twin, she grew up with her brother and was able to say that her brother was her best friend. However, dogs have always been an essential part of her family and a concrete part to her life. Archie and Mondo came into her life as a young teenager and as she grew up and went through the struggles of life, they were there to comfort her. Even when Maddie would be upset, sad, or angry her dogs were always there to love her. I mean any dog loves their owner, right? So what made this any different? Well, Archie and Mondo are two completely different dogs.
Archie is a rambunctious, high-energy, socialite that sees joy in the world through being lifted high above the ground when picked up, and would greet, even an intruder, as a best friend. Mondo on the other hand is a zen, slightly anxious, protector that shows deep love to his owners and common visitors at his home. Did I mention both of these dogs, maybe, weigh 7 pounds? A whole lot of personality in dogs you could fit in your purse. These personalities have shaped who Maddie has become, as a woman, today. She sees how these dogs are not affected by society and the various detrimental things in our human environment, but rather how they have the ability to take her to another place and help her forget the serious aspects of life. Each dog represents a part of her personality with Archie, her Ying, representing her social life, ability to connect with anyone, and non-judgemental openness with any person, and Mondo, her Yang, representing her protectiveness over her friends, and her want for peace in her life.
As Maddie said, “I watch my dogs a lot and I realize that life is not as serious as we think. We may not have the ability to have little stressors in our lives the way they do, but they help by showing me that life is more simple than we think.”
Maddie knows her dogs won’t be with her forever, but she does know the lesson of unconditional love with always be with her. She works to apply that same love her dogs have shown her, to everyone around her, everyday.
Dogs are apart of all of us. And remember when the going gets tuff, tap into your inner Mondo and chill.
Peace and Love,
The Dogi Lama